Refutation of the Errors Toleration Erastianism Independency and Separation, Title page – To the reader
A BRIEF REFUTATION OF THE ERRORS OF Tolleration, Erastianism, Indepéndency AND Separation. Delivered in some SERMONS From 1 Joh. 4. 1. Preach'd in the Year 1652. To which are Added Four Sermons Preach'd on several Occasions.
By Mr: James Fergusson, Late Minister of the Gospel at Kilwinning.
EDINBVRGH. Printed by George Mosman, and are to be Sold at his Shop in the Parliament-Close, Anno Domini MDCXCII.
TO THE HONOURABLE Mr. Francis Montgomery OF GIFFINE.
HONOURED SIR,
SO soon as I resolved upon the Publication of the following Papers, I fixed on You as the only Person to whom they should be Addrest: And indeed, whether I look on the Author, or on my Self, I conceive I was many wayes Obliged so to do.
For as to the Author: You are a Worthy Branch of the Noble and Ancient FAMILY of EGLINTOUN, whereof God had given Him the peculiar Charge and Oversight in the Ordinary Course of his Ministry: A Family which (as Himself somewhere testifies) were his great Encouragers in going about all the parts of his Function, with Joy and not with Grief; and for which he had sent up many Fervent Prayers to the Throne of Grace, of the Effects whereof You your Self me (Blessed be God) yet a living Instance. It was to that Noble Patriot and Zealous Instrument of Our late Reformation, Your Grand-Father, and to the Noble Earl Your Father (then Lord Montgomery) and to Your most Examplarly Pious and Religious Mother, That the Author did Dedicate his Exposition of the Epistles to the Galatians and Ephesians; And as all who have the Honour to know You, are glad to see You so Naturally trace the Religious Example of Your Honourable Predecessors, in Your firm Adhering to Your Principles, and Purity of Religion, Your Encouraging of Piety and Persons Pious, Your Streight, Sincere and Vpright Deportment towards All (a Quality as Eminent in that Noble Earl Your Grandfather, as rare in this Generation) so I nothing doubt, but that if it had pleased God to have spared the Author, to Publish any other of his Works, He would have looked upon Your self, as the most Proper person, to whom he should Present them.
As for my self: Your Respect to the Author's Memory with your undeserved kindness to all his Relations, and to my Self in particular, Do strongly oblige me to take all Occasions for testifying my Thankful Acknowledgements. And I presume I can scarce give You a more Acceptable Testimony of my Gratitude, than the presenting You with the ensuing Papers, which tho the Publication be posthumous, yet I hope a serious perusal of them, will be sufficient to supersede any further Commendation: And indeed my near Relation to the Author, will not allow me to speak either of Him or his Works, what perhaps others might: And therefore without giving You any further trouble, but Commending You and Your Vertuous Lady to the Protection of the Almighty; And Wishing, That as God has blessed You with an Hopeful off-spring, who are as so many Living Images of your selves, in whom you see your own Lives renewed, & who by Their Good Enclinations, do already give us cause to expect the best of Them; So You and They may live together till You see Them prove a Comfort unto You; And that after You are gone, They may be no less Vseful in Their Generation, than now You are; I shall humbly crave leave to subscribe my self in all duty,
Honoured Sir, Your most obliged, and most humble Servant JAMES FERGVSSON.
TO THE READER.
THere are divers years past, since the Reverend, Learned, and Pious Author of the following Discourses, fell a sleep in the Lord, and is gone to receive the fruit of his Labours, from the chief Shepherd of the Sheep: Yet we have in his Memory a lasting proof of the Truth of that Word, Pro. 10. 7. The memory of the Just is Blessed And that of Psalm 112 6—The Righteous shall be in everlasting Remembrance: Their memory is Precious and Honourable: For I can truly say, though I have heard many, of high and low Degree speak of Master Fergusson, I never heard any make mention of him but with Honour and Respect, As a Man of great Piety and Learning, and Eminent for Prudence and Moderation. And I am confident, there will be no need of Epistles of Recommendation, for any of his Works, to any who either knew Himself, or have perused his Judicious and Pious Treatises, published already, on the Epistles to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thes…alonians. Nor am I so presumptuous, as to imagine my Testimony could raise the Esteem of any thing done by so Famous and Worthy a Man: But being his Mediate Successor to the Parish of Kilwinning, where he did for many years Labour in the Work of the Gospel; and being desired by his Son of the same Name, I could not deny to express the esteem I have for his Memory, Though I had not the Advantage of knowing him while he lived.
I am informed the following Discourses, were the subject of Divers Sermons, delivered to that People, in a time when there was much need of Warning; It was after that through a Boundless Tolleration, a deludge of Errors had broken in upon England, and the Sectarian Army having Subdued Scotland, and dispersed themselves in all the Parts of it, Corrupt Men and Seducers among Them, did endeavour to pervert the People from the Truth: Then it was (anno 1652.) When this worthy Author, as a Faithful Watchman, gave to his Flock Warning of the Danger; And that they might be rooted and grounded in the Truth, did represent to them the necessity of a sound and well-informed Judgement, in order to Holiness and Salvation; and for that end did excite and direct them to Try the Spirits; and afterw…rd▪ for their further Instruction and establishment in the Truth, took notice of some particular Errors, by which they seem'd to be in greatest hazard at that time; and did in a plain and convincing way, Refute the Errors, and Confirm the Truth, making alwayes some Practical Improvement of what he had delivered.
Although the Reverend Author was known to be a great Master of School-learning, and was invited to be Professor of Divinity in the Famous University of Glasgow (which yet he humbly refused) yet he did not calculate these Discourses for the School or Court; But being to speak to a Countrey Congregation, wherein were many Common People (for whom they seem to have been intirely designed, since the Author could never be induced to Publish them in his own time) He had such a sense of the holy Apostles example 1 Cor. 14. 18, 19. that he choosed to speak to the edification of the meanest; and he had a peculiar faculty of making things intricate, plain and easie to be understood. And I am confident that those who are not for pleasing their fancy with fine notions, or their ear with jingling-words, but desire to have their judgement informed, and their conscience satisfied, will find here that which will be very edifying: For his endeavour is, That Controversies be clearly stated; And with great perspicuity and solidity doth he confirm the Truth by Scripture and Reason, and confute the contrary Error; and all this without bitterness or wrath, but with such calmness and moderation of Spirit, wherein he did excell; So that (as I am informed) divers of the English Army, though of a contrary Judgement, did resort to hear him; I know not what effects his Teaching of these Truths had on Them, but by the Blessing of God, these of his own Flock were so established in the Truth, that not one of them was seduced from it. And I cannot but record it to the praise of God and commendation of that Congregation, and for the encouragement of any who may be invited to be their Pastor, when I, to their and my grief, am to be separated from them, to a more difficult Post; I say, I cannot but record it, that as that Congregation of Kilwinning, hath since the Reformation, been blest with eminent learned and pious Men, Mr Glasford. Mr Bailie, Mr Fergusson and Mr Rogirs; So they have by the Blessing of God on their labours, been kept not only Sound in the Faith, but United among themselves, when others have been wofully Divided: And they have alwayes shewed a great love to the Gospel, and all the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, and the Ministers thereof: And I pray That their fruit may abound more and more.
If some Expressions Concerning the Opinion of Independents, or Congregational Men, seem severe; It would be remembred, that the Author doth not speak against Persons, but against Things; And in a time when many Errors followed that Division about Church Government; and the Debate was hot about it, and fear that it should have taken place in Scotland: But considering the Zeal these of New-England have discovered against Error, and their United way of acting in Association and Synods, when they think there is need, and the love that hath been in time of Common Tryal, and the Late Essay which hath been made for an Accomodation, betwixt Presbyterians and Them in England; I suppose if our Reverend Author had lived until this time, he would have concluded, the Difference may be so lessened, that it need not hinder their walking together, in that wherein they are agreed, nor their Endeavours to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.
I do not know of any particular design of publishing these Discourses now, when they have been kept hid for fourty years, but that the Author's Son having long delay'd and declin'd to Publish them, though frequently and seriously advis'd to do it by many, he was advertised that some would publish the Imperfect Notes received from His mouth, in the time of Hearing, which being incorrect, might not only prejudge the Authors name, but the Truth, and others Edification. If these (as is hoped they will) be acceptable and useful, what yet remains unprinted of these Discourses, may see the Light in due time.
There are here subjoyned Four Sermons of the Reverend Author, which the Publisher and others hope may be found of good use, and may make way for the communicating more of his Pious and Judicious Sermons, which are longed for by them who knew Him, or his other Works.
It had surely been of great advantage to the Church, had it pleased God to have spared this judicious and pious Author till now, and that he had published more of his Works in his own time: But seing our infinitely wise and good God hath disposed otherwise, it becometh us to submit: But if by this, or any other of his Works, God get Glory, and the Church be edified; The Publisher will rejoice and bless God, as having attained his end. And if the Reader peruse his Works with the same Spirit wherewith they seem to be spoken and written, I am confident he will not fail of profit.
Now that the Spirit of Truth and Holiness, would lead Thee and all His people, into all Truth, and help them to edify one another in love, and that He would bless His Churches with Truth and Peace, and send out many Faithful Labourers into His Harvest with a double measure of the Spirit that was in Mr. Fergusson and other eminently holy Men who then lived, shall be the Prayer of,
Christian Reader, Thy Souls cordial Well-wisher. George Meldrum. Edinburgh, June 1692.